GROUP G - Belgium, Panama, Tunisia, England

[Chris O'Connor]

A match between two teams already through, where there’s no obvious benefit in finishing top, is always going to be a glorified friendly... it could be 3-0 either way and not tell us anything much about the sides’ respective chances of going all the way other than the second in the group having a much better one.

....and even more so if one or both field a much weakened team which isn't trying too hard either

 

[davek]

Hope you're right Davek, I think there's a real chance of progress if he does.

He will. He'll be telling that team to hand chance after chance to Belgium.

Some people seem to be under the impresssion that Southgate is some noble Corinthian type. He's not. He's as bent as the rest of them.

 

[Chris O'Connor]

He will. He'll be telling that team to hand chance after chance to Belgium.

Some people seem to be under the impresssion that Southgate is some noble Corinthian type. He's not. He's as bent as the rest of them.

Common sense in my book but call it either, I hope he does exactly that.

Just the time when we could really do with ten English Cuco Martina's and not one to be found.

 

[Chris O'Connor]

This year’s World Cup draw is one of the most uneven in recent memory and England have a golden chance to exploit it.

On one side, the prospect of a quarter-final against Brazil or Mexico, and then a semi-final versus one of Argentina, France, Portugal or Uruguay. On the other, it’s Sweden or Switzerland in the last eight, and a World Cup semi-final against Russia, Denmark, Croatia or Spain.


England go into tonight’s showdown with Belgium knowing that if they win the match they will have to punch well above their weight if they want to get close to the final, whereas if they draw and pick up more bookings than Belgium, or even lose, the road to the top is significantly less bumpy.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-cup/2018/06/28/england-should-want-lose-against-belgium/

 

[Chris O'Connor]

Jamie Vardy will make his first World Cup start in England’s final Group G game against Belgium tonight with Harry Kane set to miss out.

With progress into the last-16 secure, England manager Gareth Southgate has made a host of changes and has brought in Vardy.

Kane had told Southgate he wanted to play in Kaliningrad, but it appears England’s captain will start on the substitutes’ bench with Vardy being given a chance to shine.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/wo...dy-start-ahead-harry-kane/amp/

 

[Yid4life]

England to lose 10-9 (Vardy all 9 to win the Golden Boot).

 

[Kiwi]

This year’s World Cup draw is one of the most uneven in recent memory and England have a golden chance to exploit it.

On one side, the prospect of a quarter-final against Brazil or Mexico, and then a semi-final versus one of Argentina, France, Portugal or Uruguay. On the other, it’s Sweden or Switzerland in the last eight, and a World Cup semi-final against Russia, Denmark, Croatia or Spain.


England go into tonight’s showdown with Belgium knowing that if they win the match they will have to punch well above their weight if they want to get close to the final, whereas if they draw and pick up more bookings than Belgium, or even lose, the road to the top is significantly less bumpy.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-cup/2018/06/28/england-should-want-lose-against-belgium/

It's all well and good saying this, but Argentina barely scraped through, Mexico lost 3-0 to Sweden etc. Croatia or Spain has been arguably been the strongest looking team

 

[Billy Dean]

looks like Colombia to win their group. I would make them favourites to beat England. Trying to come 2nd is folly.

 

[Mickey]

Win or lose both are through that's why I think they'll both go for it. Both teams shouldn't be looking at who they might face but just beating who's in front of them. Keep momentum.

 

[Groucho]

I reckon there’s a case for finishing first or second in the group.

 

[Eggs]

I reckon there’s a case for finishing first or second in the group.

..there has to be a huge advantage in finishing 2nd in England’s group. The bottom half of the draw is wide open, what a chance for Croatia to get to the final.

 

[Zezti]

THREE LIONS ON THE SHIRT

 

[Billy Dean]

..there has to be a huge advantage in finishing 2nd in England’s group. The bottom half of the draw is wide open, what a chance for Croatia to get to the final.

Getting past Colombia is not a foregone conclusion for either team IMO.

 

[Chris O'Connor]

It's all well and good saying this, but Argentina barely scraped through, Mexico lost 3-0 to Sweden etc. Croatia or Spain has been arguably been the strongest looking team

8 changes for England tonight now widely predicted

Belgium predicted to do the same


We CANT meet Spain or Croatia until the semi finals

Brazil are very likely to knock Mexico out

I know shocks happen but Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay

Are better than

Denmark Switzerland and Sweden

However much you try and spin it

 

[Khalekan]

8 changes for England tonight now widely predicted

Belgium predicted to do the same


We CANT meet Spain or Croatia until the semi finals

You need to lose tonight to go that, seemingly easier on paper, route.

Because whoever tops that group, at this stage England by dint of fewer yellow cards cards, has to overcome a half of the draw containing Brazil, France, Uruguay, Argentina and Ronaldo.

Definitely a match to lose this one......I am sure it will be a case of “after you, Claude”